Pabna MP urges communal harmony during Durga Puja

CHATMOHAR, PABNA, Oct 20: Reserved seat for female MP from Pabna Advocate Arifa Sultana Ruma has called for communal harmony and equal rights for people of all faiths, saying Bangladesh’s independence in 1971 and the July uprising of 2024 were collective achievements.

“Everyone is a stakeholder in a harmonious Bangladesh. There should be no discrimination or division based on religion or ethnicity,” Ruma said on Tuesday while exchanging views with members of the Hindu community during visits to Durga Puja mandaps in Chatmohar, Bhangura and Faridpur upazilas of Pabna District.

She said Prime Minister Tarique Rahman had sent greetings to the Hindu community on the occasion of Durga Puja. Ruma also highlighted the government’s introduction of monthly honorariums for imams, muezzins, Hindu priests and Christian clergy, saying the government stood alongside religious communities.

“The government is working tirelessly to build a self-reliant Bangladesh. We celebrate our festivals while preserving religious, social and political harmony,” she said, adding that Durga Puja had evolved into a festival celebrated by people across communities.

Ruma visited 93 Puja mandaps across the three upazilas, accompanied by more than 1,000 leaders and activists from the BNP and its affiliated organisations. She met with temple committee leaders, exchanged greetings, reviewed festival preparations and urged everyone to ensure peaceful and festive celebrations while strengthening bonds of mutual respect and friendship. She also provided financial assistance to several temples and distributed saris among members of the Hindu community for the festival.